Northern Michigan University, located in Marquette, Michigan, is a dynamic four-year, public, comprehensive university that has grown its reputation based on its award-winning leadership programs, cutting-edge technology initiatives and nationally recognized academic programs. Northern has a population of about 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Ask a few Northern students what drew them to our university and you will get a variety of answers. That's because there is no single thing that make students want to go to Northern; it is ALL the things that we do here. Northern is big enough to offer a wide variety of academic programs but is also small enough that every time you walk across campus, you'll probably wave "hi" to someone you know.

Curiosity is the raw ingredient of knowledge. It causes us to ask questions, to seek answers, to learn. At Northern Michigan University, natural curiosity and intellectual challenge meet in stimulating classes grounded in the liberal arts. So wherever your curiosity leads you, you can count on the support you need to take the next step, ask the next question, propose the next hypothesis.

The mission of the Northern Michigan University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Recreational Sports and the United States Olympic Training Site is to create an environment that promotes academic excellence, interpersonal growth and social development; embraces diversity; teaches lifetime leisure skills; fosters spirit and tradition; and builds a lifelong connection to NMU.

Yes, you'll attend your classes, but what else will you be doing as a student at Northern? There's so much stuff to choose from. There's a student organization or club – almost 300 at last count-- for just about every interest. If you're into investigating the paranormal, anime or improv comedy, there's a group. Cheer on your fellow Wildcats at a hockey game or volleyball match. Join a competitive club sport or an intramural team. The sky is the limit.

NMU Unveils New Logos

News Releases

Northern Michigan University today launched its new academic and athletic logos. The revitalized graphic identity is the result of a year-long process that included extensive research on the distinctive attributes of NMU and feedback on the designs from hundreds of university stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff and alumni.

The academic logo replaces the previous tree-and-waves design. It is intended to convey the excellence in scholarship and innovation routinely demonstrated at Northern. It features an “N” overlaying a torch with its flame pointing north, framed within a circle marked with compass points.

The athletics logo is a modernized take on the traditional Wildcat head. It has less of the intricate detail that made the previous version more challenging to stitch and reproduce. It also more effectively incorporates NMU’s school colors. The accompanying wordmark is a dynamic new font developed exclusively for NMU.

"The new logos are part of the rebranding effort started a few years ago,” said Derek Hall, assistant vice president for NMU Marketing and Communications. “The new logos help us better communicate the many great things about Northern and also allows us to give a nod to the history of the university. The torch and ‘N’ have been used to represent the institution for more than 50 years. Additionally, the Wildcat logo is well-loved and through feedback, we discovered that an update was the best approach. Raising the bar on the visual elements that define Northern will help elevate the university’s profile and help market it to prospective students."

Rickabaugh Graphics of Gahanna, Ohio, developed both logos. The firm was among eight that responded to NMU’s request for proposals. Rickabaugh quickly emerged as a top contender because of its extensive experience in the collegiate market. It also has created award-winning logo designs for numerous Fortune 500 companies and celebrities, as well as pro sports brands for the NFL, NHL and NBA.

“Working with Rickabaugh Graphics was a great learning experience,” said NMU Athletic Director Forrest Karr. “The process was deliberate, comprehensive and professional. There is a tremendous sense of pride and commitment to the Wildcat logo. The plan from the start was to maintain the previous logo’s strengths and to create something similar with cleaned-up lines. We never wavered from that. Our goal was to bring new energy, to take what makes us who we are, and modernize it, allowing the image to show up better on everything from apparel to mobile devices.”

Eric Rickabaugh said his firm was honored to have been part of creating the new graphic image for Northern.

“NMU has a strong commitment to excellence and it was important that the university’s image match that same level of excellence,” he said. “The image redesign process was a careful and conscientious undertaking. The university’s commitment to including the entire NMU community in the process is to be commended. Without question, the input of the NMU stakeholders helped tremendously in the shaping of the new look and we believe that the new logos capture the pride, energy and innovation that are moving Northern Michigan University into a very bright future.”

The firm developed a variety of graphic identity options and presented them to a steering committee and campus leadership. Refined selections were shared with focus groups to gather feedback.

More information and depictions of the new academic and athletic logos can be viewed at www.nmu.edu/newlogo. Despite the revamped designs unveiled today, the NMU seal will remain unchanged.